Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Too soon to Laud Hurdle contender
LAURINA makes her long awaited seasonal debut at Sandown this afternoon – and must win with a lot in hand if she is a serious Champion Hurdle contender.
Having missed a number of possible races due to ongoing concerns, she will finally return to action in the Unibet Mares’ Hurdle with Ruby Walsh on board.
Irish National Hunt racing has seen a number of horses not live up to their superstar status so far this season.
Gigginstown are back to the drawing board with Samcro, Footpad has tasted defeats in his two runs to date and Annamix, highly rated by the Willie Mullins team, flopped on his Irish debut.
Here’s hoping Laurina doesn’t follow suit and can live up to her high expectations.
Her owners are determined to go the Champion Hurdle route over the Mares’ Hurdle and who can blame them.
She is a general 4/1 secondfavourite for the contest headed in the market by Buveur d’air, whose defeat to Verdana Blue in the Christmas Hurdle leaves the impression he is beatable at Prestbury Park despite winning the race for the last two years.
Expect Laurina’s odds for Cheltenham to take a tumble if she romps home today.
Meanwhile, bolted up on his English debut over course and distance and, on that evidence, should take all the beating in the opener at Sandown today.
And can add to his win at Ludlow by scoring for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden in the Unibet Handicap Chase. looks set to go off a short price in the Grade 1 Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, but I think is the one to have a punt on each way after three consecutive wins at Taunton.
In the feature, I fancy to finish in the money. He was second in this contest last year and scored in a similar contest by 11 lengths over course and distance last month. He looks a good each-way bet with some firms paying five places. At Naas tomorrow,
looks the pick of the lot in the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle.
Third in the Wetherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last year, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old went on to win the Champion Bumper at Punchestown.
And he took to hurdles well when landing his first start over them by two and three-quarter lengths at Punchestown last month.
The fifth on that day, Cuneo, boosted the form by winning the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Leopardstown over Christmas.